Drew Hanlen: Joel Embiid working to become 'a bully on the block'

Drew Hanlen: Joel Embiid working to become 'a bully on the block'

If Joel Embiid’s inside dominance during the 2017-18 NBA season wasn’t quite enough for you, there’s some good news.

In a recent interview with Alex Kennedy on The HoopsHype Podcast, NBA player development specialist Drew Hanlen spoke on a wide range of topics. Obviously, Hanlen has worked with both Philadelphia 76ers guard Markelle Fultz, as well as Embiid throughout the offseason.

The reviews on both players have been incredibly positive to this point and when Hanlen spoke about Embiid, he revealed the key focus of the big man’s workouts.

“Obviously, he was really good in the mid-post last season,” Hanlen stated. “But when you look at the game where he had 46 points, the Lakers game, and if you look at the game before when I think he had 32 against the Clippers, he was a bully down low. Our first thing is just becoming a bully on the block.”

“That means tightening up his handles, making more plays off the bounce, changing directions and adding some face-up moves so he can be better in that category as well,” Hanlen added.

The thought of a more dominant Embiid has to be pretty terrifying for opposing NBA teams. The Sixers center averaged 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game while shooting 48.3 percent from the field.